We have one hour each week for Sunday School. We want this time to be used wisely and to be used to fulfill the three purposes of Sunday School. The following usage of our class time will keep us on track to be a purpose driven Sunday School that has an intentional plan to accomplish an intentional purpose!

  r 10 Minutes: Fellowship Time  

• 10 Minutes: Prayer Time  
• 5 Minutes: Outreach Emphasis  
• 5 Minutes: Announcements  
• 30 Minutes: Bible Study  

Tips For Using Scheduled Class Time

                                                   Using Outreach Time (5 Minutes)

1. Discuss overall Sunday School strategy (Great Commission), including FAITH 
2. Discuss what outreach means to you specifically and to your class 
3. Pray in class to become more Great Commission oriented 
4. Pray in class for God to raise an outreach leader in your class 
5. Develop a list of lost friends and family members from your class 
6. Pray for these lost people by name 
7. Distribute prospects to class members from the class prospect book so they can contact them 
8. Identify new prospects 

Pray for the class outreach leader 

Touch Group	Ministry Group	Core Group
Attends 0-6 Times/Year	Attends 7-23 Times/Year	Attends 24+ Times/Year
[Name]	[Name]	[Name]
Touch Group	Ministry Group	Core Group
These people are presently not	If you want to see immediate	This is the group from which
active and involved in your	results in your attendance,	you should be developing
Sunday School Class;	then this is the group to	leaders to minister to the other
however, when (not if) a	expend your time, energy and	two groups.  By the time
tragedy occurs in their life,	money on.  As you continually	people reach this group they
they will be more receptive to	minister to them, you see them	are committed enough to
the ministry of the class.  We	going from attending 15 times	church to want to become
must, therefore, continue to	a year to 20 times a year.	involved.  It is here you need
reach out to them so that we	Eventually, they move over	to help them fulfill their desire
“earn a hearing” when tragedy	into the Core Group.  Best	for meaningful service, or you
comes.  But do not consume a	means of contacting them is	will see at best their
lot of time, energy, and money	by personal visit or phone.	enthusiasm dampen, or at
here until a crisis occurs.  Best		worst, they will leave
means of contacting them is by phone or card.		altogether.

Sunday School is more than an educational institution; it is a reaching, caring, ministering organization as well. Of the three tasks of Sunday School only one has to do with education. If only one third of our tasks are educationally oriented, then we need to develop a new mentality toward the work and ministry of the Sunday School. Education is definitely part of what we do and we will always continue to put the highest emphasis on the teaching of God’s Word; however, I want you to realize that education is not all that we do! We have to have a mentality and a vision that moves us to reach people. The Sunday School is better equipped to reach people than any other organization in the church. Once God allows us to reach people we must also have a mentality and a vision to minister to people as well. A Sunday School class should be a person’s spiritual support group. If a person can’t get their needs met in Sunday School, than they probably will not get their needs met anywhere else in church. So, we must see Sunday School as something more than a one-hour a day, one-day a week happening. Sunday School is the church organized to carry out the Great Commission!

Minister of Education – Gives oversight to the Sunday School ministry Division

Directors – Guides the ministry efforts of a specific age division Teachers/Ministers

– Teach God’s Word and serve as the leader for the class Outreach

Leaders/Evangelists – Lead the class in reaching the lost and un-churched Care Group Leaders/Shepherds – Care for and pastor the people in their class

The Sunday School must be structured to carry out the tasks of the Sunday School. If the Sunday School vision statement is to evangelize the lost and disciple the saved, then the Sunday School needs to be structured in a way which makes that possible. As mentioned in the Sunday School Vision statement, the number one task of the Sunday School is to reach the lost; however, there are two other tasks that are equally important. We should focus on these three tasks, commit them to memory, and communicate them regularly. The three tasks of the Sunday School are:

1. Reach people for Christ 
2. Teach people God’s Word 
3. Minister to people’s needs 

The three tasks of the Sunday School must be aligned with a leader who will be responsible for that task. This is why we need the Teachers/Ministers, Outreach Leaders/Evangelists, and Care Group Leaders/Shepherds. The responsibilities and purpose of each role is as follows:

Teacher/Minister

 ¾ Responsibilities  

1. To lead the class to effectively reach, teach and minister to people 
2. Be the class administrator 
3. Actively participate in the church’s outreach ministry 
4. Prepare and present the Bible study lesson 
5. Enlist an Assistant Teacher and allow him to teach regularly for the purpose of developing a new teacher 
6. Meet regularly with the Sunday School Ministry Team 
7. Attend all Sunday School Teacher meetings 
8. Attend all Sunday School Leadership meetings 

 ¾ Title  

Traditionally this role has been called “Sunday School Teacher”. The idea behind the name change is to emphasize the philosophy behind the responsibilities. The philosophy is as follows: the class is a miniature congregation and thus the teacher/minister is a miniature pastor. The pastor must do certain things for a church to grow; be active in evangelism, proclaim God’s Word, organize the church for growth, etc… Likewise, the teacher/minister must be involved in these same things for the Sunday School to grow.

The title “teacher” conveys the idea that, “I will show up on Sunday morning and teach.” The term “minister” conveys the idea that, “My responsibilities are more than just Sunday morning; my responsibilities are more than just a once-a-week job.” This title also emphasizes the shepherding ministry of Sunday School, while not forsaking the teaching ministry.

Outreach Leader/Evangelist

 ¾ Responsibilities  

1. Work with the class teacher/minister weekly 
2. Actively participate in the church’s outreach ministry 
3. Be trained in the church’s evangelism strategy 
4. Lead the class to discover prospective members for the class 
5. Lead the class to actively pursue lost and un-churched people 
6. Keep an updated prospect file 
7. Meet regularly with the Sunday School Ministry Team 
8. Attend all Sunday School Leadership meetings 

 ¾ Title  

This name emphasizes the philosophy behind outreach – to see lost people come to know Christ. All of our ministry must have soul-winning at its heart. Evangelist is a Biblical name, whereas outreach is not even found in the Bible.

Care Group Leaders/Shepherds

 ¾ Responsibilities  

1. Work with the class teacher/minister and the outreach leader/evangelist 
2. Care and minister to (shepherd) approximately seven to ten people in the Sunday School class 
3. Contact your group members regularly 
4. Take attendance of your group every Sunday, and coordinate the class role with the Secretary 
5. Lead the members of your group to contact absentees on a weekly basis 
6. Actively participate in the church’s outreach ministry 
7. Meet regularly with the Sunday School Ministry Team 
8. Attend all Sunday School Leadership meetings 

 ) Title

This title emphasizes the caring or shepherding aspect that must be extended to each and every member. The Care Group Leaders/Shepherds handle the pastoral care duties in their class

Conclusion

Every Sunday School class will have a ministry team consisting of a Teacher/Minister, an

Outreach Leader/Evangelist, Care Group Leaders/Shepherds, and a Secretary, who will be responsible for overseeing the class record keeping system.  The Secretary, the Care Group

Leaders/Shepherds, and the Outreach Leader/Evangelist all report to the Teacher/Minister and the Teacher/Minister would be accountable to the Minister of Education, who is accountable to the Senior Pastor.

1. Develop New Leaders 
2. Birth New Units 
3. F.A.I.T.H. Evangelism 

The Sunday School Vision Strategy answers the question how. Once we have a vision statement that establishes our purpose and our mission then we must have a strategy in order to make this vision a reality. The strategy is a step by step process to be sure we achieve our goal.

First Step        

The key to reaching new people is new units. If the key to reaching new people is new units, then the key to birthing new units is new leaders. The Sunday School must always be in the process of developing new leadership within each class. In order for a new unit to survive two elements must be present; a genuine need and genuine leadership. However, new units based on need alone will eventually fizzle out and die. For a new unit to succeed strong leadership must be coupled with and precede the need.

Second Step    

For the Sunday School to be able to continually reach the lost and to continually be able to minister to all the needs of the church, it must continually birth new units. New units are the only way to facilitate new people! New units will certainly grow faster then old ones, and new units mean new people, which mean new growth!

Third Step  

One of the largest parts of Sunday School should be to train workers in evangelism. If the church is to carry out the Great Commission then the Sunday School needs to train its members how to be soul winners. The program best suited to help the Sunday School achieve this goal is

F.A.I.T.H., which is an evangelism strategy specifically for the Sunday School. F.A.I.T.H. helps the Sunday School to be what it is intended to be; the foundational strategy in a local church for leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for building Great Commission Christians through Bible study groups that engage people in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and worship.

[Enter Sunday School Vision Statement]

To help lead my local church to fulfill the Great Commission by:

1. Evangelizing the lost 
2. Discipling the saved 

Every organization, no matter what it is, must have a vision which gives it purpose and focus.

The vision which you establish gives the much needed direction for the work of the organization. What are the purpose and the mission of the Sunday School? The priority of the Sunday School is to lead the church to become a New Testament church by fulfilling the twofold mission of the Great Commission. Sunday School is the foundational strategy in a local church for building Great Commission Christians through Bible study groups that engage people in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and worship. The Sunday School is the only organization in the local body with the specific task of reaching people; therefore, it is critical that our main objective should be reaching the lost and un-churched. If the Sunday School does not reach the lost and un-churched people then the Sunday School and ultimately every other organization in the Church will regress. If the Sunday School does not reach people, then the whole Church will suffer.

Sunday School is the foundational strategy in a local church for leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for building Great Commission Christians through open Bible study groups that engage people in evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship.

In other words, Sunday School is a strategy that guides people to come to know Jesus and then begin to deepen their lives in evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship, and worship. The goal of the teaching that takes place during the Sunday School hour is to lead people to encounter the life-changing experience of knowing Jesus and learning what it means to follow Him! The Sunday school is an open group because it serves as an entry point into the church for unbelievers. An open group is primarily an evangelistic Bible study group or event comprised of unbelievers and believers. Bible study groups that are designed primarily to reach lost people are open groups and Bible study groups that are designed primarily for moving saved people toward spiritual maturity are closed groups. Sunday School as an open group is recommended as the best proven organizational framework for involving families and individuals in the evangelistic work of the church.

• Sunday School affirms the Bible as God’s Word and as the textbook for understanding and for fully integrating truth into life. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)  
• Sunday School accepts the Great Commission as the mission mandate to God’s people and becomes a way of fulfilling that mission as people are lead to obey Christ’s commandments. (Matthew 28:19-20)  
• Sunday School recognizes God’s active purpose of reconciling a spiritually lost world to Himself and provides a way for people to join Him in the work of intentional evangelism. (John 3:16; Romans 1:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9)  
• Sunday School affirms the Christian family as the primary institution for biblical instruction. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)  
• Sunday School engages people in spiritually transforming ministry opportunities through Bible study groups that lead people to love, trust, and obey God. (Romans 12:1-2)  
• Sunday School enables believers to be servant-leaders and offers them opportunities to discover, develop, and use their spiritual gifts and abilities in service to Christ and His people. (1Corinthians 12-13; Romans 12:1-8; Ephesians 4:12)  
• Sunday School provides a structure that enables the largest number of God’s people to do the work assigned the church. (Ephesians 4:1-6; 1Corinthians 12:12-27)  
• Sunday School requires leaders who are willing to be held accountable for calling forth and equipping new leaders. It is a way in which all believers can be involved actively in leading spiritually lost people toward faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 25:14-30; 2 Timothy 2:1-2)  
• Sunday School leads people to be involved in Bible study that facilitates the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. (2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)  

[CHURCH NAME] POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

CHURCH KEYS

PURPOSE

To provide a set of guidelines for the upkeep of the church keys. 

GUIDELINES

The keys to [Church Name] will be provided to those persons who require them for successful fulfillment of their ministry (ies) and to ongoing renters of the building(s) upon approval of the Pastor or designee. 

OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY

It is the Clerk’s responsibility to provide the church keys and properly train key holders regarding appropriate security procedures.

KEY HOLDERS

It is imperative that key holders DO NOT duplicate keys unless authorized by the Clerk. If another set of keys is needed, the Clerk should be contacted. The Clerk will maintain a list of all key holders. Keys are to be returned to the clerk if/when the key holders have no ministry/program or rental-related need for them or upon request.

SIGNATURES

Employee/Volunteer                                                                       Date

Senior Pastor                                                                                    Date

                                                                                                                                                Date Revised:                         

[Insert Church Name]

Christian Code of Ethics

Sample Codes of Ethic

Pastor or Senior Minister Code 1

(Includes basic obligations for all ministers)

Preamble

As a minister of Jesus Christ, called by God to proclaim the gospel and gifted by the Spirit to pastor the church, I dedicate myself to conduct my ministry according to the ethical guidelines and principles set for this code of ethics, in order that my ministry be acceptable to God, my service be beneficial to the Christian community, and my life be a witness to the world.

Responsibilities to Self

1. I will nurture my devotional life and personal relationship with Jesus Christ through a regular time of prayer, reading of the Scriptures, and meditation.
2. I will continue to grow intellectually through personal Bible study, comprehensive reading, and attending growth minster or pastor conferences.
3. I will manage my time well by properly balancing personal obligations, church duties and family responsibilities, and by observing a weekly day off and an annual vacation.
4. I will be honest and responsible in my finances by paying all debts on time, never seeking special gratuities or privileges, giving generously to worthwhile causes, and living a Christian lifestyle.
5. I will be truthful in my speech, never plagiarizing another’s work, exaggerating the facts, misusing personal experiences or communicating gossip.
6. I will seek to be Christ-Like in attitude and action toward all persons regardless of race, social class, religious beliefs or position of influence within the church and community.
7. I will maintain my physical and emotional health through regular exercises, good eating

habits, and the proper care of my body.

Responsibilities to Family

1. I will be fair to every member of my family, giving them the time, love and consideration they need.
2. I will understand the unique role of my spouse, recognizing his or her primary responsibility is as martial partner and parent to the children and secondarily as church worker and assistant to the pastor.
3. I will regard my children as a gift from God and seek to meet their individual needs without imposing undue expectations upon them.

Responsibilities to Congregation

1. I will seek to be a servant-minister of the church by following the example of Jesus Christ in faith, love, wisdom, courage and integrity. 
2. I will faithfully discharge my time and energies as pastor, teacher, preacher and administrator through proper work habits and reasonable schedules.
3. In my administrative and pastoral duties, I will be impartial and fair to all members.
4. In my preaching responsibilities, I will give adequate time to prayer and preparation, so that my presentation or message will be biblically based and clearly communicated.
5. In my pastoral counseling, I will maintain strict confidentiality, except in cases where disclosure is necessary to prevent harm to persons and/or is required by law.
6. In my evangelistic responsibilities, I will seek to lead persons to salvation and to church membership without manipulating converts, proselytizing members of other churches or demeaning other religious faiths.
7. In my visitation and counseling practices, I will never be alone with a person of another sex unless another church member is present nearby.
8. I will not charge fees to church members for weddings or funerals; for nonmembers I will establish policies based on ministry opportunities and time constraints.
9. As a full-time minister, I will not accept any other remunerative work without the expressed consent of the church.
10. In leaving a congregation, I will seek to strengthen the church through proper timing, verbal

affirmation and an appropriate closure of my ministry.

Responsibilities to Colleagues

1. I will endeavor to relate to all ministers, especially those with whom I serve in my church, as partners in the work of God, respecting their ministry and cooperating with them.
2. I will seek to serve my minister colleagues and their families with counsel, support and personal assistance.
3. I will refuse to treat other ministers as competition in order to gain a church, receive an honor or achieve statistical success.
4. I will refrain from speaking disparagingly about the person or work of any other minister, especially my predecessor or successor.
5. I will enhance the ministry of my successor by refusing to interfere in any way with the church I formerly served.
6. I will return to a former church field for professional services, such as weddings and funerals, only if invited ty the resident pastor.
7. I will treat with respect and courtesy and predecessor who returns to my church field.
8. I will be thoughtful and respectful to all retired ministers and, upon my retirement, I will support and love my pastor.
9. I will be honest and kind in my recommendations of other ministers to church positions or other inquiries.
10. If aware of serious misconduct by a minister, I will contact responsible officials of that

minister’s church body and inform them of the incident.

Responsibility to the Community

1. I will consider my primary responsibility is to be pastor of my congregation and will never neglect ministerial duties in order to serve in the community.
2. I will accept reasonable responsibilities for community service, recognizing the minister has a public ministry.
3. I will support public morality in the community through responsible witness and social action.
4. I will obey the laws of my government unless they require my disobedience to the law of God.
5. I will practice Christian citizenship without engaging in partisan politics or political activities

that are unethical, unbiblical or unwise.

Associate Minister Code 2

(Education/Music/Youth/Etc.)

• I will be supportive and loyal to the senior pastor or, if unable to do so, will seek another pace of service.
• I will be supportive and loyal to my fellow staff ministers, never criticizing them or undermining their ministry.
• I will recognize my role and responsibility on the church staff and will not feel threatened or in competition with other ministers of my special area of ministry.
• If single, I will be discreet in my dating practices, especially in relation to member of my

congregation.

Pastoral Counselor Code 3

• I will have a pastor/counselor to whom I can turn for counseling and advice.
• I will be aware of my own needs and vulnerabilities, never seeking to meet my own needs through my counselees.
• I will recognize the power I hold over counselees and never take advantage of their vulnerability through exploitation or manipulation.
• I will never become sexually or romantically involved with a client or engage in any form of erotic or romantic conduct.
• I will demonstrate unconditional acceptance and love toward all counselees, regardless of their standards, beliefs, attitudes or actions.
• If I am unable to benefit a client, I will refer him or her to another professional who can provide appropriate therapy.
• I will maintain good relationships with other counselors and therapists, informing and conferring with them about mutual concerns.
• I will keep confidential all matters discussed in a counseling setting, unless the information is hazardous for the client, for another person or is required by law.
• I will offer my assistance and services to follow ministers and their families whenever needed.
• I will support and contribute to the ministry of my church through personal counseling, seminars, lectures, workshops and group therapy.
• I will seek to support the policies and beliefs of my church without unduly imposing them upon any counselee.

Military Chaplain Code 4

• I will be an ethical example of a Christian lifestyle in a military setting.
• I will perform my service duties according to the military codes of conduct, recognizing my ultimate allegiance is to God.
• I will be truthful I my reports to my senior officers without divulging unnecessary confidential information.

Notes

1. These “Sample Codes” are generic examples of numerous ministerial codes and they have been edited to include the most significant emphases, both principles and specific guidelines, in each category. To write a code, a minister should evaluate his or her own ministry obligations in light of the text discussions, then utilize these sample codes as broad statements of possibilities for a personal code of ministerial ethics.
2. The “Sample Code” of the associate ministers and others which follow will include only those obligations in additions to the Senior Minister Code, which uniquely apply to each special ministerial role.
3. The “Sample Code” of the Pastoral Counselor has many obvious weaknesses but does deal with the primary issues facing pastoral counselors.
4. These statements have been suggested by military chaplains as additions to the basic code for ministers.